Sunday, December 25, 2016

A close acquaintance of mine voiced objection to the
lighting of the National Christmas tree, which occurred on the first day of
this month. Red, white and blue LED
lights were illuminated. I find no
offense in this practice, which for me is a secularized event, even though I
acknowledge its connection to the Christmas season. Kids who visited Santa, as I did decades
ago, do so in the days and weeks before Christmas. Neither Santa nor his elves visit us
during Arbor Day, the Fourth of July or Veterans Day. He is connected with Christmas, although like
the tree, his purpose is far removed from the true religious meaning of
December 25th.

A Christmas tree is not quite the nativity scene. Readers who have more knowledge of the New
Testament than I can inform us if a Christmas tree with a star on top and wrapped gifts underneath is mentioned in the Gospels. Perhaps, Santa truly is a religious figure, since like the three wise men, he comes bearing gifts.

Religious icon?

Santa and saint are separated by only 1 letter. Hmm...

I am sure that many children have contemplated the mystery
of how Santa was able to appear in so many department stores
simultaneously. Any thoughts here? I assumed that his reindeer simply
transported him at supersonic speed, although, perhaps, there is another
explanation.

Similarly, I do not fine our national motto ‘in God we
trust’ offensive or a violation of the separation of church and state. It has taken on, in my view, a secular
meaning.

Fear of offense has led many individuals and organization to
sanitize their Christmas greetings using phrases that contain all the mirth and
meaning of a recorded phone menu message from airline companies. Doesn’t Seasons Greetings really nail
it? How about Happy Holidays?

At 4 p.m. today the National Menorah will be kindled on the
White House grounds. The menorah,
arguably more of a religious symbol than a tree, is generally not the object of
public protest. Both the menorah and the tree are illuminated. Who
would object to bringing a little more light into the world?

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About Me

I am a full time practicing physician and writer. I write about the joys and challenges of medical practice including controversies in the doctor-patient relationship, medical ethics and measuring medical quality. When I'm not writing, I'm performing colonoscopies.